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Classical Roman Urns

CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE

During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.

While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.

Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.

The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.

Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Classical Roman
Monumental Italian White Marble Copy of the Medici Urn. Early 20th Century.
Monumental Italian White Marble Copy of the Medici Urn. Early 20th Century.

Monumental Italian White Marble Copy of the Medici Urn. Early 20th Century.

Located in Vero Beach, FL

Monumental Italian white marble copy of the Medici Urn. Early 20th Century Impressive palatial model of the historic Medici urn. It is masterfully carved in white Carrara marble. ...

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Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Urns

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Carrara Marble

19th Century Antique Italian Marble Bacchanalian Urns Pair
19th Century Antique Italian Marble Bacchanalian Urns Pair

19th Century Antique Italian Marble Bacchanalian Urns Pair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Pair of Antique Italian Marble Bacchanalian Garden Urns: 19th Century or Older After the Roman Antiquity, influences of the Medici and Borghese Vases A superb and architecturally sc...

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19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Urns

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Marble

Pair of 19th Century Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Urn Planters, Italy
Pair of 19th Century Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Urn Planters, Italy

Pair of 19th Century Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Urn Planters, Italy

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of 19th Century Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Planters A striking pair of 19th century Italian urn-form planters, masterfully hand-carved from solid Carrara marble. Each planter f...

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19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Urns

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English Garden Urns or Planters of Burnished Cast Iron 'Priced Individually'
English Garden Urns or Planters of Burnished Cast Iron 'Priced Individually'

English Garden Urns or Planters of Burnished Cast Iron 'Priced Individually'

Located in Austin, TX

A fine pair of English garden urns or planter pots of burnished cast iron in the Classical or Medici style - each planter urn featuring a campana or bell shape with flared top edge o...

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20th Century English Classical Roman Urns

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Large Italian Glazed Terracotta Urn with Stylized Horse
Large Italian Glazed Terracotta Urn with Stylized Horse

Large Italian Glazed Terracotta Urn with Stylized Horse

By Urbino Workshop

Located in Houston, TX

Large Italian Glazed Terracotta Urn with stylized Horse. Italian glazed terracotta Urbino Maiolica style urn or vessel in muted colors with wel...

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1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Urns

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Pair of Tall Classical Styled Fluted Metal Garden Urns on Stands
Pair of Tall Classical Styled Fluted Metal Garden Urns on Stands

Pair of Tall Classical Styled Fluted Metal Garden Urns on Stands

Located in Nashville, TN

Metal with fired finish (in distress). Tall (just shy of 5 feet) and of Classical Design with ribbed fluting and on attached square bases. The bases decorated with laurels on all fou...

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Mid-20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Urns

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Spectacular Pair of White Marble Classic Form Handled Urns w/ Baluster Pedestals
Spectacular Pair of White Marble Classic Form Handled Urns w/ Baluster Pedestals

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Located in Milford, NH

A spectacular pair of classic form carved white marble scroll-handled urns with grape leaf and vine motif, with petal edge rim design on beautifully carved marble square pedestals wi...

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20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Urns

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Marble

Medici-Style Large Marble Garden Urn
Medici-Style Large Marble Garden Urn

Medici-Style Large Marble Garden Urn

Located in Alhambra, CA

Large classical Italian marble urn. Great for use as decor in a home or garden. Drain-hole at the base of the bowl allows use as a planter. Marble in two pieces, and resting on a ste...

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Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Urns

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Marble

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Classical Roman urns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman urns for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman urns made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original urns, popular names associated with this style include and Bassano. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $333 and tops out at $48,000 while the average work can sell for $4,500.